Fallen tree injures tourists on NH 10, disrupts traffic near Kalimpong
According to eyewitnesses, the tree had dried out and weakened at its base, reportedly due to a recent forest fire in the area.
LOCAL
A tourist vehicle en route from Gangtok to Siliguri was struck by a falling tree near Chitre in Kalimpong district around 1:30 PM today, injuring several Bengali tourists. The incident occurred on NH 10, the main arterial road connecting Sikkim with the plains, leading to a nearly 50-minute disruption in traffic flow.
According to eyewitnesses, the tree had dried out and weakened at its base, reportedly due to a recent forest fire in the area. As a result, it collapsed onto the road without warning, hitting the passing tourist vehicle. Locals and passersby rushed to the spot to assist the injured and help clear the route.
The tourists were returning from a trip to Pelling in West Sikkim and were headed to Siliguri. All injured passengers are reportedly stable, with minor injuries.